Sonja Spruiel

Overview

Sonja Spruiel joins The DBL Center as our new VP Business Development & Disability Underwriter. Spruiel comes from Arch Insurance, where she was the Regional Business Development Manager, Accident & Health. Prior to Arch, Spruiel worked at Standard Life as the EB Disability Underwriter specializing in Group Life and Short- and Long-Term Disability in the carrier’s Group Insurance Department.

With this background, Spruiel brings extensive carrier-side knowledge of accident insurance as well as statutory benefits and paid family and medical leave.

Prior to joining our team, Spruiel shared her thoughts with us about the benefits brokers can experience working with an insurance wholesaler to help them secure the best rates and provide a higher level of service to their clients. She also shared her knowledge of PFML in a previous post.

With more states introducing paid and family and medical leave, plus employee demands for benefits beyond healthcare, insurance brokers have more opportunities than ever to expand their book of business and increase revenue.

Fortunately, insurance brokers have more choices to provide their clients.

On the other hand, it has become more challenging for brokers to keep track of the various benefits, from voluntary worksite benefits to statutory insurance products.

Plus, state variations in statutory insurance like Paid Family Leave in New York, Paid Family and Medical Leave in Massachusetts, and a host of other programs in other states makes it virtually impossible for brokers to keep track.

” A broker who finds themselves an expert at a carrier or insurance wholesaler and utilizes their strengths to be the educator and help build client relationships, will be more successful,” Spruiel said.

“I think if the broker brings an expert to the table who is knowledgeable about the products and can really be consultative to the client and help them navigate the transition into these mandated paid leave programs that’s a great way for the broker to leverage those relationships.”

The DBL Center, as an insurance wholesaler, can also make brokers aware of new benefits that create new commission opportunities, she pointed out.

Read on for more of Spruiel’s thoughts on how brokers benefit from helping their clients privatize paid leave and other statutory benefits through The DBL Center as an insurance wholesaler via their preferred network of private carriers.